2015 Fellow Paula Gonzalez went to Detroit where she put her civil engineering skills to work at Loveland Tech, a startup “dedicated to putting America online parcel by parcel.” Paula talks about how she arrived at her own definition of success and how this standard has informed the most significant decisions she’s made (including choosing VFA!).
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Name: Paula Gonzalez
School: MIT ’14
Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering
VFA City: Detroit
VFA Company: Loveland Technologies
Growing up, I fit the classic overachiever archetype. I followed the rules, always did my homework on time, and was involved in as many sports and clubs as possible. From an early age, earning a degree from a “good” university was the ultimate goal. I believed that getting into a prestigious school was the only way to achieve success – success being a stable job with a fair salary that ensures a comfortable lifestyle.
Because of this mindset, I logically equated grades to achievement, with 100% being the only acceptable outcome. This framework drove me to stay focused and work hard through primary and high school and eventually I was accepted into my dream school: MIT.
During my first semester, I met so many accomplished, tenacious and dedicated people– many of whom I still consider to be friends and role models. What impressed me most back then were the credentials they could show for all their hard work. As soon as I learned how careers in consulting or finance were deemed the most prestigious – by our peers and what felt like “the world” – I sought out anyone who interned at banks in New York City or signed offers with big consulting firms. Reaching this goal became my benchmark for true accomplishment; the only way for me to continue on my path towards a successful life and career.
It took me a few semesters to realize this wasn’t the path I was meant to follow. After struggling with my coursework and adjusting to the rigorous and fast-paced environment, I reached a sort of “aha” moment. It became strikingly obvious to me that I couldn’t be happy in a place where I was striving to reach a standard of success that wasn’t my own. I had tried so hard to talk myself into following the crowd, but when I made the decision to pursue paths that spoke more to my passions and interests, I became a happier, less stressed, and a more inspired person almost overnight.
This mentality was certainly met with skepticism amongst my peers. Those who didn’t know me well simply assumed I wasn’t smart or ambitious enough to get those banking jobs or pursue a career in consulting. And it would be easy to fault them for thinking that… but as soon as I arrived at my own definition of a successful career, I felt the burden of pleasing other people lift off of me.
When I decided to join Venture for America, I was met with a similar dose of skepticism. “You’re moving to Detroit? You’re getting paid how much?” But those who know me best understood it was a choice that reflected my values. Working for a startup in a developing American city will allow me to learn about how the private sector can impact and drive urban revitalization efforts, a topic that became a major interest of mine in college. To those closest to me, this choice makes sense. But, most importantly, it makes sense to me. In this new stage of my life, I am choosing to hold my own values, over everything else, as the truest measure of success.